Hesham El Halaby picks up where Yasser left off

The surname El Halaby is one of the most famous in the rich tradition of Tiger athletics. Yasser El Halaby '06, a native of Cairo, Egypt, is primarily responsible for this distinction, as he spent his four years at Princeton compiling the most impressive record of any male in collegiate squash history.

Though Yasser has since graduated and is now pursuing a career as a professional squash player, the El Halaby name lives on at Old Nassau, as his younger brother, sophomore Hesham El Halaby, is in the midst of his second season with the Tigers.

While he admits that his brother has left rather large footsteps in front of him, Hesham has embraced the role of successor, focusing more on the opportunities it affords rather than the pressures it may carry.

"Hesh is very proud of his brother's accomplishments," sophomore teammate Kimlee Wong said, "but he also takes great pride in establishing himself as a successful competitor in his own right."

Through his first season and a half, El Halaby the younger has made tremendous strides in achieving this goal. In his freshman campaign, despite being only 17 years old, he earned first team All-Ivy and second team All-America honors.

Perhaps more importantly, the sophomore has demonstrated a diligent work ethic and gracious disposition that have garnered the respect of teammates and opponents alike.

"Hesh is a great teammate," Wong said. "I am fortunate to have such a talented, hardworking friend to push me in my training. And he is honest, too. At any time during practice, he will not hesitate to let you know what you need to do to improve."

The similarities in the characters of Yasser and Hesham can be explained by their upbringing, when the brothers would travel to tournaments together. Though Hesham did not compete at first, he observed the way his brother approached practice and competition. Moreover, he used his brother's early success as inspiration for his own career in squash.

"I didn't begin competing until I was 10 or so," Hesham said, "but by that time, I had seen first hand what it takes to win. Yasser was a great role model for me."

While the gap in the brothers' abilities throughout the majority of their junior careers was — Hesham admits — too large for either to benefit from training together, the older sibling was always eager to offer advice.

"Yasser really helped me understand the strategy of the game," Hesham said. "Having his guidance was a huge advantage, since he usually sees things that not a lot of other people do."

The elder El Halaby was also instrumental in bringing Hesham to Princeton, as he was able to familiarize his brother with the American universities and collegiate squash culture. Though he had his choice of every top program in the country, Hesham chose to join his brother for Yasser's final, historic season at Princeton.

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"I really enjoyed reuniting with my brother," Hesham said. "I hadn't seen him much during his first three years at Princeton, so it was great to be with him as he worked toward that fourth national title."

Before becoming a Tiger, however, the graduate of The Modern English School in Cairo spent a postgraduate year at the Lawrenceville School, five miles away from Princeton. His time there allowed the recruit to adjust to school in the United States and to mature physically.

At Lawrenceville, Hesham first met fellow sophomore squash standout Mauricio Sanchez, a native of Mexico City who was also completing a post-grad year at the prep school. Together, the two brought the high school national championship back to central New Jersey.

Sanchez and El Halaby have carried that success up Route 206, where they have joined with a third sophomore, Wong, to form arguably the strongest recruiting class in Princeton squash history.

Holding the top three positions on the ladder, the "three amigos," as they are affectionately known among their teammates, have led the team to an undefeated record so far this season.

Hesham hopes that, with the help of his teammates, he will be able to achieve one thing that his brother never did during his storied career — bring the national team championship back to Old Nassau.

It's a lofty goal, but if Hesham can live up to the high expectations that older brother Yasser has laid for him, it's also an achievable one.